Goose fat

[ORChick]

Following along from Shiloh Acres' roast goose posts I thought I would bring up a few uses for the quantities of fat that one ends up with when cooking a goose.

Obviously, using it for cooking is one's first thought. I found this English site - the *history* page is interesting, as well as *recipes*:
http://www.goosefat.co.uk/page/home

I mentioned on Shiloh's journal that I had read of using *goose grease* as a chest rub for colds and coughs in old books. After much searching I have to conclude that wherever I read this it wasn't in any of my books - with one exception. In "The American Frugal Housewife", by Lydia Maria Child, from 1832, I found this: "For a sudden attack of quincy or croup, bathe the neck with bear's grease, and pour it down the throat. ... Goose grease, or any kind of oily grease, is as good as bear's oil."

The Germans make a spread with lard or goose fat; melt the fat, and slowly cook diced onion, and diced apple in the fat. Season with marjoram and a bit of salt, and pour (through a sieve if you want) into crocks or jars, and cover. If you are starting with the unrendered fat you can also include the bits of crackling in the finished product. This is called "Schmalz" in German, and is quite nice spread on a dark bread. I haven't had the"Gaenzeschmalz" (Goose fat), but quite like the "Schweineschmalz" (lard) in small quantities. I've got sufficient goose fat from the Christmas bird that I may give it a try. (If you are tempted to try it as well, I should mention that the recipes I have read call for adding some lard to the goose fat; I assume that is to make the end product more firm).
You may have heard the term "Schmalz" in relation to chicken fat; that would be more of a Jewish/Yiddish term; Schmalz, in Germany, and not qualified by any particular animal name, would most likely be from pigs.

 

[Shiloh Acres]

Thanks for the link ORChick.

I have MORE than enough for potatoes, and if (when!) I cook hopefully many more I'll be looking for uses for all that fat.

I was curious if it could make soap. I had to wash my hands THREE times after getting the goose in the pan and they were still oily. So I may be needing soap. Seriously though, maybe lotion. It sure soaks in well!

Thanks again.

 

[Denim Deb]

I seem to recall hearing about ladies that would put goose grease on their hands at night, then put on a pair of cotton gloves. The purpose was to keep their hands nice and soft.

 

[Shiloh Acres]

Well my hands have been dry with the cold weather. May be my imagination but they seem better today. I found it really hard to get all the raw fat off my hands. The cooked fat cleans easily though.

That site IS pretty interesting. It had me wondering how to can goose fat, LOL, since purchased is supposed to last so long and homemade only a few months in the fridge. Then I took a look at the recipes and I thought I might not NEED to can it after all. Just cook a goose every so often.

The nutritional breakdown of the types of fats is interesting as well. I had wondered, since mine is a slightly yellowish but almost clear liquid. It seems very fine and smooth, just as they say it is.

Now when I do my OWN goose, I'll be wanting the feathers too. It's nice to get so many useful products (meat, fat, feathers and down) as well as even "services" (my geese did weed my early garden and are great watchdogs, and if you need a lawnmower ... I'm even hoping they will kill snakes near the poultry next year) ... But it's nice to get ALL of that from one cheaply-raised and easy-care animal!

 

[ORChick]

I have read (maybe here; freemotion?) of, I think, putting hot lard into sterilized jars, and putting a canning lid on. As it cools it seals the lid, and is good on the shelf. However, when last I made lard I was too chicken to try that, so it ended up in the freezer anyway. The goose fat is also in the freezer now

 

[ORChick]

On the subject of geese, and all the good things they provide, here is a very interesting video re: fois gras. I have only had fois gras once, and it was really quite luscious. But raised the way this fellow does ... well, maybe there is a niche out there for some of you goose raisers. Or maybe I need to think how I can convince DH that geese would be a good idea Its kind of long, but interesting.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/dan_barber_s_surprising_foie_gras_parable.html